Many new Queer people of color (QPOC) graduates and creatives exiting academia hoping to start new projects and give their talents back to the world, face many added disadvantages on their journey due to systemic racism and discrimination and ultimately leave with greater debt. The average cost for a 4-year degree in-state is $87,800. For many students entering college, especially black and brown students, and in particular QPOC, the cost is unfeasible without loans. While the benefits that come from completing a degree cannot be overlooked, the consequences of having to deal with large student loans can't be either. QPOC pull back from starting businesses, completing amazing projects, buying homes, or following our passions because of debt. In return, our society as a whole becomes less rich and less safe. Q26 wants to help alleviate this inequality by raising funds for scholarships. 

Q26’s Fall fundraiser will raise funds to help six queer academics and artists of color pay off the sum of at least 3 loan payments. By creating this fundraiser, we’re hoping that it gives these students and graduates a little space to work on their goals and well-being without having to worry about their payments. This is for the creatives, the teachers, the tech enthusiasts, the activists, and the storytellers out there that have so much more to give to our society than a loan payment. And, this is for the people out there who will inevitably be affected by them.

Meet one of our six QPOC recipients: Vanessa Andrade who was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, and currently resides in LA.

Q26: Can you tell me a little bit about what you studied in college?

Vanessa Andrade: I pursued my B.A in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and received my Masters in Social Work from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) in 2017

Q26: How would the money raised during this fundraiser help you?

Vanessa: The financial assistance provided through the fundraiser would assist me in paying down my student loan debt and allow me to not acquire additional debt.

Q26: What do you want the people who are contributing to this fundraiser to know about you?

Vanessa: As a queer Christian I am deeply passionate about advocating and promoting inclusion for LGBTQ individuals within the church.

Please visit the following link if you would like to donate to Q26’s Fall Fundraiser: https://gf.me/u/ytwjin.